In pictures: The Paralympic Games

Thousands of athletes with physical disabilities will compete in 21 sports at the 14th Paralympic Games.

30 Aug 2012 08:40 GMT

Fireworks lit up the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London on August 29. Athletes will compete in 21 different sports, including wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, and equestrian.

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Members of France\(***)s Paralympics team guided each other across the platform as they arrived in London on August 25.

Reuters

A \(***)big bang\(***) was ignited during the opening ceremony. This year\(***)s Paralympics Games include about 4,200 athletes, more than in any previous event.

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An artist performed during the opening ceremony. One-hundred and sixty-four countries are sending athletes to compete at the games.

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Paralympian Margaret Maughan lit The Paralympic Cauldron.

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Fireworks exploded during the opening ceremony.

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Athlete Oscar Pistorius of South Africa carried the flag during the opening ceremony. Pistorius, both of whose legs are amputated below the knee, also competed in the Summer Olympics, where he ran the 4x400 metres relay and the 400 metres sprint.

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Athletes from Great Britain soaked up the atmopsphere during the opening ceremony.

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Queen Elizabeth II declared the games officially open at the ceremony.

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Fireworks lit up the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London on August 29. Athletes will compete in 21 different sports, including wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, and equestrian.

Getty Images

Members of France\(***)s Paralympics team guided each other across the platform as they arrived in London on August 25.

Reuters

A \(***)big bang\(***) was ignited during the opening ceremony. This year\(***)s Paralympics Games include about 4,200 athletes, more than in any previous event.

Getty Images

An artist performed during the opening ceremony. One-hundred and sixty-four countries are sending athletes to compete at the games.

Getty Images

Paralympian Margaret Maughan lit The Paralympic Cauldron.

Getty Images

Fireworks exploded during the opening ceremony.

Getty Images

Athlete Oscar Pistorius of South Africa carried the flag during the opening ceremony. Pistorius, both of whose legs are amputated below the knee, also competed in the Summer Olympics, where he ran the 4x400 metres relay and the 400 metres sprint.

Getty Images

Athletes from Great Britain soaked up the atmopsphere during the opening ceremony.

Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II declared the games officially open at the ceremony.